All posts by George Walters

George Walters is a Canadian columnist and author with more than forty years of writing experience. For over twenty years he has written a weekly column for Postmedia Network — Canada's largest newspaper chain — never missing a single week, publishing fifty-two stories a year. Combined with his work in Reader's Digest Community Voices, World News, Country Living, The Country Register, and farm and rural lifestyle magazines across Canada, he has published well over two thousand stories drawn from everyday life. He writes about farm work, fishing, old trucks, and the kind of people you only find in small towns — but just as likely he'll hand a voice to a weathered telephone pole, or turn his eye on something happening in the world today and tell you exactly what he thinks about it. No subject is off limits. If there's a story in it, George will find it. He has been called a philosopher of everyday life, a description that came up more than once during his television appearances over the years — and it's not hard to see why. His writing has a way of making the ordinary feel worth sitting with. He is the author of eleven books, including yearly short story collections and the Clay Moretti Files mystery series. Clay is a fifty-year-old private investigator who drives a 1967 Ford Galaxie, smokes cigars, and operates by a code the modern world gave up on a long time ago. The cases are present day. The man handling them is not. All titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon. Together, George and his wife Ruth have also created Elmer Finds His Way, the first in what he hopes will be a long series of children's books. Ruth did all the illustrations, as she has for every one of George's books — and beyond that she designed and painted the covers as well. Her work is woven into every page of everything he has published. A few words from readers: "I pulled up a kitchen chair and read your story three times." "You have a way of making a person homesick for a place they haven't been to." "Thank you for writing things that make old people and kids feel the same way at the same time." All my titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.ca here.

Losing Perspective Over Politics

Only On The Walters Post!

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

It seems to me that too many people today are looking for reasons to be upset. They’ll take a lifetime of achievement, a legacy that shaped a nation’s pride, and toss it aside over something as trivial as a suit color or a political preference.

So what am I talking about? Well, lately, I’ve seen folks turning on Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player this country has ever produced. Not because he did something wrong, not because he hurt anyone, but because he didn’t wear a red and white jersey at an event and because he’s been seen around Trump. And for that, some people are ready to strip him of his Canadian identity? That’s just plain dumb in my books.

Gretzky was, and always will be, a legend. If he likes Trump, big deal. That doesn’t erase what he did on the ice, or what he gave to this country. You know, we used to be able to respect people even if we didn’t agree with them. Now, if someone doesn’t fit a certain mold, they get cast aside.

I think some folks have lost their way when it comes to thinking for themselves. We don’t have to agree with everything someone says or does, but we sure don’t need to rewrite history just because we don’t like their politics.

If anything, maybe it’s time we start focusing more on what actually matters, like respect, reason, and remembering that a person is more than just the last thing they did.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Morning Thoughts from the Northern Trail on March 21/2025

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Good Morning! As my old Dad used to say: “If you can’t fix it with a hammer, George, you’ve got yourself an electrical problem.”

Well, folks, yesterday might’ve been the first day of spring, but you sure wouldn’t know it by what’s happening weather-wise this morning. Through the night, we got ourselves a good two to three inches of snow, and as I write this, the temperature’s sitting at a brisk 18.68°F | -7.4°C. But hey, the sun’s shining, so it at least looks a bit like spring—sort of.

Here’s the weather forecast for Port Loring, Ontario:

Friday, March 21:

  • Daytime: Expect a mix of sun and clouds, with a 40% chance of flurries. High around 44°F (7°C).
  • Night: Cloudy skies. Low near 21°F (-6°C).

Saturday, March 22:

  • Daytime: Cloudy with a 60% chance of snow or rain. High approximately 30°F (-1°C).
  • Night: Partly cloudy with a 40% chance of snow. Low dropping to 7°F (-14°C).

So…. it looks like spring’s just teasing us again, like a feller waving’ a pie under your nose and then running off with it!

Highway 522’s mostly clear of snow, so traveling’ should be decent today for those making their way to the larger towns. But don’t let your guard down as there’s always plenty of deer along the roadside and crossing the highway, especially this time of year. Just the other day, on our trip to the city and back, we had to slow down for at least six of ’em crossing the road—keeps you on your toes, that’s for sure.

On another note, I finally got the main shop all cleaned up and everything sorted out. It sure was a job going through fifty years or more of stuff—felt like I was digging’ through history itself! But it’s all done now, and what I want to keep is tucked away, and everything we’re selling’ is in another spot. Feels good to have that off my plate, though I’m sure I’ll find something else to clean up next!

So what’s on the agenda for today, GW? Well, with the ground covered in ice and snow again, I guess I’ll be working away here at my computer, writing up a couple more stories for my columns. I write for the largest newspaper in Canada—been at it for over 36 years now. That should keep me busy this morning. After lunch, we’ll see what the weather’s up to and take it from there.

With that, I’m off once again for the breakfast my lovely wife has gotten ready for me. After that we’ll enjoy our regular morning chat along with our hot cocoa, and then, well, I’ll get to writing. At least that’s the plan—though, some days, the words flow like water, and other days, it’s nothing but blank pages.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Country Views on a Changing World on March 20/2025

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Good Morning! Living slow ain’t lazy not by a long shot…it’s just knowing what’s worth hurrying for.

She’s a wet, rainy morning here in the north, but the good news is, it’s not too cold outside. In saying that, the mild temperatures have melted most of our snow and ice. Oh, there’s still a bit hanging on the north side of things, but with this warmth, it won’t be around much longer.

Highway 522 is quiet this morning, with most folks around here sleeping in thanks to the dreary, cloudy weather. Can’t say I blame ’em none, but I remember years ago, a day lying in bed wouldn’t get the cows milked, or the chickens fed. And as my old Dad used to say; “A day shouldn’t be wasted.” And if there is one thing my wife and I never do…is waste a day, as our days are full, always have been, and by the looks of things these days, always will be.

On another note, I had plans yesterday to spend some time puttering around in my old woodworking shop. But like most days, things didn’t go quite as planned, as out of the blue, my wife and I decided to head on into town to pick up a few supplies, we were running low on. And wouldn’t you know it, after stocking up, we found ourselves at a fast-food joint, ordering up a burger and fries. Now, that’s not something we do very often do, but the urge got to me, wanting to see what the other half has been eating these days. I have to say that the fast food place was sure busy with folks waiting in line for their food. Taste-wise, I’ll admit, it wasn’t all that bad. But later that night? Well, let’s just say my stomach sure let me know it wasn’t happy with my lunch choices, which goes to show, some foods taste good going down, but your body’s got the final say.

At any rate, we picked up what we needed, along with a few things we hadn’t exactly planned on. Always amazes me how that happens! I swear the stores must know what catches our eye and stick ’em right where we’ll see ’em. And on impulse, we grab it, only to wonder later why the hell we bought it in the first place. But, like most things, it is what it is. Once we were done shopping, we grabbed a coffee for the trip home, taking in the sights along the way. You know, living where we do, the scenery is always changing, especially this time of year. Kind of nice, really, watching the white landscape slowly turning’ to green. So yea, all and all, other than spending money... it was one great day.

So, what’s on your agenda today, GW? Well, earlier this morning, I went out and got the wood stove going in the woodworking shop, which is burning nicely warming things up, which will make it a lot nicer to work in, once I have my breakfast. And by the looks of things my lovely wife’s got it all ready, sitting on the kitchen table, just waiting for me. After I’ve had that, we’ll have our regular cup of hot cocoa, and of course, our morning chat. Then… I’ll head outdoors to see what the day brings.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Liberals Doing Something Right? Well, I’ll Be…

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

Well, I never thought I’d see the day, but here we are. A Liberal prime minister doing some things that actually make sense. Now, don’t go thinking I’ve gone soft or lost my way. I’m still the same old-timer with my set ways and a sharp eye for nonsense. But credit where credit is due, and this Carney fellow has been making moves that I can’t quite argue against.

First off, investing in the North with military upgrades? That’s just plain smart. We’ve got a big ol’ chunk of land up there, and we ought to be protecting it. The new defense deal with Australia? Well, that tells me someone in charge actually remembered Canada isn’t some tiny island where we can just sit back and hope for the best. Then there’s the carbon tax rollback on heating oil, propane, and gas for our cars. Now, that’s a breath of fresh air, though it should never have been a thing in the first place. Charging folks a tax on the very thing they need to get to work and heat their homes, only to give it back in bits and pieces? That’s like me borrowing your truck, running it out of gas, then giving you a cup of fuel every other week to make up for it.

Now, does all this mean I’m ready to mark my ballot for the Liberals? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. See, I’ve been around long enough to know that politicians have a habit of saying the right things to get into power and then forgetting all about them once they’re sitting pretty. Looking back, a whole lot of promises were made, but most of them got lost somewhere between the campaign trail and reality. So, while I’ll tip my hat to what’s being done right now, I’ll keep the other hand on my wallet and wait to see if it all holds up.

One thing I do know, my opinion only of course, is that our last Prime Minister did a fine job of driving us into debt and stripping us of our ability to be self-sufficient. We used to be a country that could stand on its own two feet, and now we’re stumbling around trying to remember where we left our boots. That’s something I’d like to see turned around, and if Carney keeps heading in the right direction, well… I’ll keep watching. But voting for them? Again….let’s just say, we’ll see how their agenda plays out. And again… I’ve been around long enough to know that a well-placed promise doesn’t always mean much in the end.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

A Northern Writer’s Take on Life on March 18/2025

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Good Morning! As my old Dad being a farmer used to say: “George the day’s an empty field….what you plant is up to you.”

We’re having a bit of sunshine here this morning, but even with the sun shining, it’s still cool. The ice in our rain barrel is a sure sign that spring hasn’t quite made its way here yet.

Weather Forecast For Today!

Today (Tuesday, March 18):
We’re looking at a day where the clouds start to thicken up. Temperatures will climb to around 49°F (9°C), which ain’t too bad for this time of year.

Tonight:
The skies stay cloudy, and it’s gonna cool off some, with temperatures dropping to a chilly 34°F (1°C). Might be a good night to keep the wood-stove fired up.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 19):
You can expect some milder weather rolling in, but with that comes on-and-off rain and drizzle throughout the day. The mercury will rise to about 59°F (15°C), so it’s not all bad—just make sure you got your rain gear handy.

Looks like a mixed bag, but at least it’s warming up a touch!

Highway 522 is bare and dry this morning, with traffic starting to pick up a wee bit. It won’t be long before the folks with cottages start thinking about opening them up for the summer. And with that, the tourists will be rolling into the area, which is sure to put a smile on the faces of all the local business owners.

On another note, I spent most of yesterday working away in my old woodworking shop. Got a lot more sorted out and even started installing that new tire and tube on my cart—the one I use for moving the bigger, heavier things. Trouble is, the new tube I bought a couple of years ago turned out to be defective, so I had to order another one. Seems like things sure aren’t made like they used to be. Anyway, I set it aside and will finish the job once the new tube arrives. That old cart sure seems stubborn about being fixed for some reason.

So, what are you up to today, GW? Well, I still have a few boxes to go through, and once that’s done, I’ll be tackling the mess I’ve made over the past few weeks while sorting things for the sale this spring. Which, should keep me busy for most of the day. I’ll be glad to get it out of the way because, with spring just around the corner, I’m looking forward to spending time outside, tidying up our gardens and soaking in the fresh air and sunshine.

So, with that, I’m off once again for my morning breakfast that my lovely wife has made for me. After that, I’ll head out to the woodworking shop—well, after we have our regular hot cocoa and chat. Can’t forget that!

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]